Ionad Hiort | The St Kilda Centre

“St Kilda’s distinct geographical location and rich and ancient history make it a remarkable place. Its evocative story has stirred the hearts of musicians, artists, writers and poets as well as historians. Its remoteness has made it even more compelling because being able to visit the archipelago is dependent on seasonal weather and sea swell.

The St Kilda Centre, with its amazing exhibition and location, will tell the unique story of the St Kilda people to a much wider audience, without the arduous boat journey out into the swell of the Atlantic Ocean and without degrading a double UNESCO site. I wish the project every success”.

Dougie (Douglas) MacLean OBE

“Ionad Hiort provides Uig with a transformational project, which will play a key part in the regeneration of the area... It will invigorate the community and bolster Uig’s ability to market itself on a larger stage, hopefully leading to increased in-migration”.

Sophie Brown, Uig Development Officer

“As the Hebridean Baker, I've shared the culture, recipes and language of the Outer Hebrides with people across the world. Ionad Hiort will give the history of our islands a permanent home. Celebrating the story of St Kilda, strengthening our Gaelic heritage and inspiring future generations to cherish the unique spirit of our islands”.

Coinneach MacLeod, Hebridean Baker

“The St Kilda Centre will bring many benefits to the community... it will be a great benefit to the children in Uig as they will be able to learn about the cultural heritage of St Kilda and in turn their own heritage. Ionad Hiort will be an excellent educational tool for all.”

Tina Macritchie, Chairperson, Uig School Parent Council

“The story of St Kilda is one that resonates not just for the communities of the Western Isles, but peripheral communities everywhere across the world. We have enjoyed working with our Norwegian partners and the wider design team to create this unique clifftop visitor centre. We hope that it will be a dramatic visitor destination as well as an important resource for the community”.

Rory Flyn, Director at Dualchas Architects

“The ethos behind the project is about using the story of a dead community to create a future for a surviving island community… Places like St Kilda matter. Places like Uig matter. There has to be a future as well as a past for such places”.

The St Kilda Centre - A World Class Idea, James Rebanks, 2015

“Despite its small scale, the Centre tells a huge story … It stands as a beacon of cultural preservation, connecting people with the remarkable legacy of St Kilda”.

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitektur

“The St Kilda Centre will be an important acknowledgement of the history of the island and the rich story of its inhabitants before evacuation. This is very important now that it is occupied by people with a different story who will have their own memories.

I knew about St Kilda as a child because my father’s uncle and cousin had cattle floats in Auchtermuchty and went to Oban in 1930 to take the sheep and cattle on to other destinations after the sale.

My full support goes to this exciting project”.

Marian Leven RSA RSW

“Creating a centre which recognises the unique and priceless aspects of St Kilda is a project of national and international significance. It is also one that enjoys the enthusiastic support of the local community”.

Iain Buchanan, Chair Ionad Hiort/St Kilda Centre